AYURVEDA PERSPECTIVE ON HEADACHE
A headache is a pain experienced in the head. There are many types of headaches, most of them symptomatic of an imbalance in the blood. Some headaches come from
- Stress / Tension - Tension headaches (Vata) usually strike when a person is holding stress and tension in the body, particularly around the shoulders, neck, and jaw. Regular self-massage (abhyanga) with sesame oil will also work on reducing tension, worry, and anxiety that leads to headaches.
- Sudden exposure to cold food - Such as when drinking a cold drink. This type of headache is usually temporary.
- Heat / Sun exposure - Heat exhausts the liver (disturbs Pitta), which then disturbes blood chemistry leading to the headache. Liver heat tends to create a 'vertex headache' - a headache at the top of the head.
- PMS / Menstrual Related - Balance hormones, and address liver's ability to process hormones.
- Dehydration - Dehydration causes the brain to shrink, leading to pain. If headaches are due to dehydration, an electrolyte balancing drink of warm water, a pinch of mineral salt, and a squeeze of lime can be taken before meals.
- Sinus inflammation - This type of headache is typically in the forehead, behind the eyes, or in the cheeks. Congestion headaches (Kapha) occur as a result of excess mucus in the respiratory tract and sinuses. Excess mucus forms as a result of eating a rich, heavy diet of Kapha provoking foods. These headaches tend to occur more at the front of the head, around the nose and sinus area. The pain is usually less intense but can feel heavy and dull. These headaches tend to be worse in winter and spring, particularly if you are prone to seasonal allergies.
- Toxicity (ama) - Caused by exposure to environmental toxins, constipation, or fermentation in the bowels. In this type of headache, pain is generally intermittent and located at the back of the head (occipital), but it tends to migrate.
- Colic / spasms of the blood vessels - Creates a throbbing headache. Frequently associated with toxins in the blood.
- High blood pressure
Each type has its own causes, symptoms, and remedies. Ask:
- What time of day, month year?
- When did it start?
- Weekends or just work days?
- Where in your head is the pain?
Toxicity Headaches
Headaches may be a result digestive toxins
(ama) in the colon.
Haritaki can be used to reduce toxic accumulation and relieve constipation. A
gentle enema may also be effective as it cleanses and nourishes the colon, helping relieve excess Vata and tension.
Migraines
Migraines develop when there are high levels of ama in the blood. They are generally associated with Pitta dosha and an overheated liver. For more about migraines, click
here.
More on Sinus Headaches
To reduce congestion headaches, first clear any accumulated mucus from the head and sinuses.
Nasya oil helps decongest and clear the sinuses, lifting the heavy feeling from the head. A
neti pot with a saline solution can also help keep the nasal passages and sinuses clear. Even a hot shower or placing a warm, damp towel over your face for a few minutes can help liquefy mucus. Avoid heavy, cold, sweet, and fried food, as these produce more mucus in the body and can lead to congestion type headaches. Instead, favor a lighter diet of
Kapha pacifying meals.
DIET REMEDIES FOR 'HEADACHE'
HERBS & SUPPLEMENTS FOR 'HEADACHE'
Please check with your medical doctor before making any changes to your health & wellness routine, and for the proper use of these products.
Balance Your Body with Diet, Herbs, & Lifestyles Having These Biocharacteristics
Everything you eat has an effect on your body, which Ayurveda categorizes in a simple and easy way, using
biocharacteristics (gunas).
Biocharacteristics are qualities (like cold and hot) that describe the effect a food or herb has on your body.
Cooling foods like cucumber, decrease metabolism.
Heating foods like chili pepper, stimulate your body and increase metabolism.
For 'Headache', you should select foods with the following biocharacteristics.
Individual results will vary, based on your body type and the root cause of your imbalance.
Anxiolytic, Analgesic, Nervine
Alterative, Rebuild Electrolytes, Rebuilds Fluids, Vasodilator
Muscle Relaxant, Antispasmodic
HOW TO ADDRESS ISSUES IN STAGE OF DISEASE #2
HEADACHE IS IN STAGE OF DISEASE #2 -
AFFECTING BLOOD & EMOTIONSAffecting Blood: Initially, imbalances are localized, often in the digestive tract.
As an imbalance grows, it starts to affect your body systemically, via the blood.
If you have symptoms in this category it means that your imbalances are starting to spread,
have entered the bloodstream, and are now systemic.
Pay particular attention to the biocharacteristics, tastes, and doshas out of balance systemically,
so you know how to strengthen your body as a whole, and reduce physical stress on your organs.
At this stage of imbalance you will begin to experience generalized discomfort, imbalanced emotions,
and may develop sensitivities to temperature.
It may take several weeks of strict adherence to a specific remedial diet to clear blood level imbalances.
Blood cleansing herbs may reduce symptoms.
A several day cleanse may shorten the recovery time.
GET MY FREE AYURVEDA BODY MAP
AVOID DIETS, LIFESTYLES & HERBS THAT AGGRAVATE THESE EFFECTS
According to Ayurveda, one or more of the following
doshas
and
biocharacteristics may aggravate 'Headache'.
If you have an excess of one of these doshas or biocharacteristics below, Ayurveda recommends reducing foods and lifestyle habits that aggravate them.
Click on the biocharacteristic to learn what foods and
lifestyle habits should be reduced.
Symptoms Tell A Story
The first step to healing is learning patterns from your symptoms.
Symptoms are clues that reveal underlying imbalances.
Symptoms show you where your body is weakened.
Ultimately, all disease has a root in tissues too weak to defend itself.
Ayurveda describes these patterns of weakness using doshas & biocharacteristics.
If you notice a biocharacteristic or dosha appears next to many of your symptoms,
it helps you establish a pattern that may be systemic.
RELATED SYMPTOMS & HABITS
The following symptoms & habits may be related to 'Headache'.
About the Author
John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a
healthy diet and lifestyle with
Ayurveda biocharacteristics.
His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful.
John also directs Joyful Belly's
School of Ayurveda,
offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.
John's interest in Ayurveda and specialization in digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel,
as well as public service work in South Asia.
John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem.
His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion.
John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing.
In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.
John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots,
and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church.
Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick.
That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well.
Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and 6 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language.
Read more